My First Photo

Today while cleaning out a corner, I found the very first picture taken with my very first camera. The photo is dated June 1997. I had left Cookeville Tennessee in April 1996. It was not that cameras were completely outlawed in Cookeville, but basically the ones that came from a no-camera culture didn't get a camera and most of the other people who moved in either got rid of their cameras or kept them well hidden. I think in my mind it was an unspoken rule that we don't have the camera. During those years I never ever thought of even wanting a camera. 

A year later after leaving Cookeville I bought a camera. I remember the day I bought my camera. I was spending time at Bedford PA and one day I went shopping for a camera with Matthew Weaver and Betty Ann (Zook) Stoltzfus.  The two helped me select a camera because I didn't know what I want.  As soon as we came back after our shopping spree one of the two took this shot of me out in John Weavers garage. 
 
A year later I got rid of the camera because I was totally consumed with taking pictures. The camera ruled my life. I did without a camera for a year. Then I bought a big cheap 35mm camera and didn't let the camera rule my life again. One reason I was more careful was the cost of developing the film.
 
Around 2004-05 I bought my first digital camera, the smallest Kodak camera I could find... and my camera/photo life took off. I learned how to download them on my computer, how to look at them critically, how to edit and print only those I wanted from my computer and printed them from my printer.   

5 comments:

  1. Love this! You were always ment to have a camera in your hand.

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  2. I agree with Lena! It's neat that you found this photo and I love the story behind it. Also how your talent 'developed!"

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  3. Cameras were "verboten" in Amish circules primarily because of the commandment against creating a "graven image"--the light "engraved" the picture on the film material. Today, it is a little more difficult to apply that law, since digital photography does not "engrave" it creates pixels! Anyway, it is good not to let any "thing" rule our lives--they are to be dedicated to spiritual service to our Creator, so I glad to hear you control the camera and not the other way around! Best wishes as I enjoy the fruit of your labor, Katie! Leon.

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  4. I am glad you are taking pictures! I enjoy them.

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  5. We are coming down in a month and I'll take another one of you.....and also show you some others I have taken around Pinecraft.
    Moe and Edna Gingerich

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